Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford, named after the only president from Michigan, to the South American coast where the Trump administration says it will help battle the drug trade.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was deployed to "dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations ... and counter narco-terrorism" in the region, Sean Parnell, the assistant defense secretary for public affairs, told USA TODAY.

The deployment of the carrier, along with President Donald Trump 's administration ordering the military to destroy at least 10 alleged drug boats off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia represents a significant escalation with Venezuela.

Here's what to know about the USS Gerald R. Ford.

Who was Gerald R. Ford?

Gerald R. Ford, t

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